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Book 76, 2026

2026-09-02T01:13:12Z

Familiar Beginnings by Belinda White

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Finished an ebook last night: Familiar Beginnings by Belinda White. It’s the prequel to her “Accidental Familiar” series of cozy witch mysteries. The main character is Amie Ravenswind, a witch with no seeming magic of her own.

When Amie’s bank account dips dangerously towards red, she accepts an assignment photographing a wedding on a remote island. Amie soon learns why her former boss didn’t take the high-paying gig—the groom is the son of an infamous mobster, and the bride is a high-maintenance model. Nevertheless, Amie is determined to do a good job. When someone murders the groom and dumps his body in Amie’s hotel room, she sets out to find out who really killed Anthony.

The story was enjoyable enough, but not everything was explained or resolved by the end. The plot meandered a bit, and characters weren’t fully fleshed out. I did like it, however, and would read more in the series.

Favorite line: “No rest for the witches.”

Decent read, but I’m only giving it an average score of three.

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Bring on the 'ber months!

2026-09-01T03:29:03Z

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Book 75, 2026

2026-08-30T00:28:03Z

Larceny and Old Lace by Tamar Myers

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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In the wee hours of the morning, I finished my “spare” book, which was Larceny and Old Lace by Tamar Myers. It’s the first book in her “Den of Antiquity” series of cozy mysteries. Main character is Abigail “Abby” Timberlake.

Abby is navigating life as best she can, being recently divorced, owning and operating an antique shop, and struggling to make ends meet. Things go from bad (discovering her daughter has dropped out of college to take up with an unsavory character) to worse when Abby’s Aunt Eulonia is murdered. Abby is content to let the police handle the investigation, until suspicion falls squarely on Rob, a fellow antiques dealer who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Abby initiates an investigation of her own, landing her in the sights of a killer.

I’ve read a few others in this series and found them laugh-out-loud funny. This one fell short of that. In fact, had I read this first book first, I may not have read others in the series. The most annoying aspect was Abby’s overuse of “dear” whenever she spoke to someone. It wouldn’t have been bad had she tossed that in at the beginning of the conversation; instead each conversation was liberally sprinkled with it. Most maddening of all, however, was the motive for Eulonia’s murder. It was so mind-bogglingly absurd as to be inconceivable. Ugh.

Favorite lines:
♦ She didn’t deserve to die for it. Lightly flogged, maybe.
♦ If killer tomatoes ever mated with kudzu, we in the South would all be goners.
♦ I worked like a damless beaver who has just been handed a forecast calling for drought.
♦ Perhaps hell has no fury like a woman scorned, but there are few bonds so easily formed as those between two scorned women.
♦ Unless it’s Sonny Bono, I’m not too fond of men calling me “babe”.
♦ “Y’all was waving your arms like a pair of referees at a bad hockey game.”

Although I know for a fact that books in this series improve, this one only gets an average rating. Three stars.

( Cozy Clichés )

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This is my one weekend to relax amidst crazy-busy weekends

2026-08-29T19:24:09Z

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Book 74, 2026

2026-08-29T02:49:10Z

Glass and Sass by Laura Greenwood

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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I read a shortish novella last night: Glass and Sass by Laura Greenwood. It’s the prequel to the “Amethyst’s Wand Shop” series of...paranormal lite, I guess. The main character is Amethyst, of the Gemstone coven.

While biding her time, hoping to be accepted to the PPD (magical law enforcement), Amethyst helps her Grammie craft wands at her shop. She made her own wand using sea glass, which is an illicit component. Now Grammie’s wandmaking license is suspended and Amethyst’s wand has been confiscated. It’s up to her to save her Grammie’s shop and reclaim her wand by proving that sea glass is a stable component.

A short story, but fun and lively. Amethyst is a spunky, engaging character, and I admired how she stood up for herself.

Favorite line: “No rest for the witches.”

Entertaining enough to make me want to read more in the series. Four stars.

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Book 73, 2026

2026-08-28T02:38:48Z

Wilde Fire by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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I stayed up until just after midnight to finish Wilde Fire by Lucy Lennox. It’s the third book in her “Forever Wilde” series of male/male romances. Main characters are Seth Walker and Otto Wilde.

Since boyhood, Seth and Otto were inseparable, first as friends and then as something more. However, Seth’s family moved away their senior year in high school, but the two of them vowed to reconnect after graduation. Otto was floored when Seth contacted him out of the blue and broke it off, causing Otto to enlist with the navy to join his brother. Now, ten years later, Otto has come home to Hobie to as the newest member of their fire department. Seth has returned also, as the new sheriff in town. Their attraction is still as strong as ever, but in order to truly reconnect they will need to clear the air between them. Just when it seems they’re making progress, a series of fires break out in Hobie, and suspicion falls squarely on Otto. But this time, Seth isn’t willing to give him up without a fight.

This one hit right in the feels. It’s obvious neither of them ever stopped loving the other, but there are so many obstacles in the way of their happily ever after. Characters were amazing, from familiar faces to new people. Plot was fast-paced, and the sex scenes were on fire. Hah! The story was captivating and held my attention.

Favorite lines:
♦ “You can choose your own path and no matter which one you pick, I’ll be happy as long as you are.”
♦ “You’re staying here and enduring the Wilde love posse. You’re not leaving me here alone with those fuckers.”
♦ Leave it to Jolie to cockblock me from afar.
♦ “Wouldn’t want you to get taken down at the scene by a four-pound feline.”
♦ “Don’t be an idiot. Nobody wants an idiot for a life partner.”
♦ “Where’s the girl?” // “We left her with a stack of cash and a bowl of kibble. She’ll be fine.”
( NSFW lines: )
No, I won’t provide context; read it yourself. LOL!

A fine example of hurt/comfort, with plenty of laughs and spice thrown in for good measure. Five stars.

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August 26

2026-08-27T02:06:00Z

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Book 72, 2026

2026-08-23T03:35:04Z

Left Fur Dead by J.M. Griffin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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I had very little left to read in my work book; therefore, I brought it home and finished it last night. The book was Left Fur Dead by JM Griffin, and it’s the first book in the “Jules & Bun” cozy series. The main characters are Juliette “Jules” Bridge, who owns and operates a rabbit rescue called Fur Bridge Farm, and her rabbit, Bunny “Bun”, who can speak to Jules telepathically.

While out walking her property with Bun, Jules stumbles across the dead body of local entertainer, Arty the Mime. As the police launch an investigation into Arty’s death, Fur Bridge Farm is targeted by a stranger who seems intent on causing mayhem. Convinced that the break-ins and harassment are connected to Arty’s death, Jules launches her own investigation, aided and egged on by Bun. When things escalate, all the clues seem to point to a perpetrator who’s closer than Jules would have believed.

An interesting story, and the talking rabbit was a different element. The entire narrative was not consumed with Jules’ investigation, which I liked. In fact, I think she was working more that sleuthing. Characters were three-dimensional, and I also appreciated that the sheriff was older and married and thus not a romantic interest for Jules. The plot was fast paced and held my attention.

Favorite line: Never let it be said I don’t listen. The problem is that I don’t follow orders.

And not one, but TWO ‘holding my breath’ lines:
♦ I hadn’t realized I’d held my breath.
♦ I’d held my breath without realizing it.

Fun story overall, four stars.

( Cozy Clichés )

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Book 71, 2026

2026-08-22T02:23:56Z

Promotions and Poisons by Laina Turner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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I read an ebook novella last night. It was Promotions & Poisons by Laina Turner. It’s the prequel to her “Presley Thurman” series of cozy mysteries, starring...Presley Thurman! I knocked this “book” back in an hour, but it was chaptered, and I’m counting it as a book read.

Presley is up for a promotion at work, but she has stiff competition for the position. When her rival is found dead in her office, the police are taking a long look at Presley. Determined to clear her name, Presley does some sleuthing of her own, dragging her work BFF into the drama with her. Will she solve the crime or get demoted to jail?

This was a fun story, although it was too short to have much substance. I don’t think we ever saw Presley anywhere but at work; therefore, it was difficult to get a handle on her as a character. The plot was fast-paced, but the resolution seemed a bit rushed.

Favorite line: “If we get caught and I get fired, I’m going to blame you.”

Giving this an average score. I have others in the series, and I hope they are meatier reads. Three stars.

( Cozy Clichés )

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Book 70, 2026

2026-08-21T02:50:13Z

Sugar and Sliced by C.A. Phipps

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

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Polished off the rest of Sugar & Sliced last night. It’s the prequel novella in the “Maple Lane” series of cozy mysteries by author C A Phipps. Main character is Madeline “Maddie” Flynn, a small town girl who’s moved to NYC to pursue her dreams as a baker.

Maddie is enjoying her life in the city, working at a bakery owned by the family of one of her friends. She is about to participate in a baking contest when a dead body (literally) falls at her feet. Maddie can’t help but wonder if her boyfriend knows more than he’s letting on. When someone involved with the baking competition is kidnapped, Maddie is thrust into the investigation.

This was a bit scattered, for lack of a better term. The narrative had continuity, but it lacked any smooth transitions. It was sort of a choppy series of events. Characters lacked depth, and several things were downright nonsensical:
( Spoilers! )
I get that some things that seem illogical are meant to drive the plot, but make it make sense, please. Finally, as a cat parent, I didn’t like that Maddie simply allowed her beautiful Maine Coon cat to just roam around NYC. Girl, one of these days he ain’t gonna come home.

Favorite line: “Family is the only place to go.”

And, adding insult to injury, Maddie didn’t know she was holding her breath: Not realizing she’d held her breath, Maddie exhaled when she saw it was Detective Bryant.

I wasn’t real keen on this one. Two stars.

( Cozy Clichés )

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Book 69, 2026

2026-08-18T02:32:54Z

Shine House by Dean Rasmussen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Started reading an ebook juuuuuuuuust after midnight Saturday (night) and finished it Sunday night. The book was Shine House, which is the prequel to author Dean Rasmussen’s “Emmie Rose” series of haunted mysteries. Main character is psychic, Emmie Rose.

Emmie is able to see the ghosts of children, but she tries to avoid any contact with them. Spending spring break on the coast with her friend Angela is just the break Emmie needs to get away from her own haunted past. However, the property adjacent to that of Angela’s family features an abandoned lighthouse and an unsolved murder. A family of three died there nearly ten years ago, but no one seems to want to talk about it. When Emmie begins seeing the ghost of Lily, the child who died there, she realizes she can’t turn her back on this case. Her poking around attracts the wrong attention, and soon Emmie finds herself in danger. She teams up with Flavio, a young police officer, in hopes of solving the case and getting justice and closure for Lily.

This didn’t bill itself as a ‘cozy’, and for good reason. It was creepy and compelling, and it kept me guessing. The story featured good characterizations, a fast pace, and stunning plot twists.

Favorite line: Why must we all be broken, even in secret?

Very good, and I would certainly read more in the series.

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Book 68, 2026

2026-08-16T00:36:44Z

Murder at the Campfire Cookout by Darci Hannah

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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I stayed up so late last night finishing a book, that you could consider it finished this morning. The book was Murder at the Campfire Cookout by Darci Hannah. It’s the 7th “Beacon Bakeshop” cozy mystery, featuring bakeshop owner Lindsey Bakewell.

Lindsey is happy running her bakeshop in the Beacon Point lighthouse, and she’s excited for her mother, former supermodel Ellie Montague, and her BFF, Kennedy, for expanding their own clothing business in town. Ellie is interested in designing camping wear for women, and she’s arranged for all of them to join a group of women “glampers”—those that enjoy camping in comfort. Ellie also volunteers Lindsey for the campfire cooking contest, which means Lindsey gets a crash course in outdoor cooking from her boyfriend, Rory.

Once at the remote glampsite, Lindsey is pleasantly surprised to find she’s having fun. That is, until a body is found in Ellie’s glamper. They’re too remote for anyone’s cell phones to work, and when everyone’s tires are slashed, stranding them in the wilderness, it’s up to Lindsey and her crew to find the killer among them.

This was a tad more gripping than your run of the mill cozy. It was creepy and kept me on the edge of my seat. It seemed each time one of the glampers came up with a solution to get help, something else would go awry and thwart their efforts. The ladies (all of them) seemed to be holding it together pretty well, although the longer their misadventure went on, the more they slowly unraveled. Characters were portrayed well; however, there were a few too many new characters (the glampers) to keep good track of. The narrative moved quickly and certainly held my attention.

Favorite lines:
♦ “Squatches just can’t resist a good cobbler!”
♦ “If ever there was an occasion for night drinking, this is it!”
♦ “I think I just assaulted a cryptid.”

We also had this: I didn’t even realize I’d been holding my breath until that moment.

Eerie, exciting, and entertaining—five stars.

( Cozy Clichés )

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Book 67, 2026

2026-08-14T03:05:16Z

A Plus One for Murder by Laura Bradford

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Finished my latest “spare” book this evening--A Plus One for Murder, which is the first installment in author Laura Bradford’s “Friend for Hire” cozy mystery series. Main character is Emma Westlake.

With her career as a self-employed travel agent drying up, Emma is grateful that she at least earns some income for meeting a neighbor lady for tea once a week—an arrangement Dottie’s husband made before his death. Dottie suggests that Emma make a business go of it; thus, ‘Friend for Hire’ is born. While Emma is grateful that Dottie sends a couple customers her way, she’s amped up when she lands her first client, Brian, who wants her to attend open mic night with him to support his poetry reading. Emma is confused when Brian tells her that four people in attendance would rather see him dead, but when he keels over after reading only two lines of his poem, she’s forced to consider that one of them may have murdered him. Emma is content to let the police do their job, but Dottie (an avid reader of cozy mysteries) wants them to work on solving the case. Reluctant at first, Emma soon finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation.

Cute story. Emma is likable and relatable, and Dottie is a force of nature. There was a good mix of Emma investigating and working. One of her clients, Big Max, was a hoot! A couple concerns…( Spoilers )

Favorite lines:
♦ “I’m being hired to clap for a nutcase.”
♦ “No cats were harmed in the making of her excuse.”
♦ “I don’t know. I got sidetracked by the free plants.”

And, the ‘holding my breath’ line: Powered by the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, Emma stood.

Fun and entertaining, despite its editorial fumbles. Four stars.

( Cozy Clichés )

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A HOWLiday!

2026-08-14T02:25:15Z

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Happy Book Lovers Day!

2026-08-10T01:50:50Z

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Cooooooool!

2026-08-08T04:57:53Z

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Book 66, 2026

2026-08-07T02:52:26Z

Hoodoo Heaven by Reggi Dupree

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Have just finished reading another ebook--Hoodoo Heaven by Reggi Dupree. It’s the prequel to the “Boudin, Barbecue, and Hoodoo” series of urban fantasy, starring Gwendolyn Carter.

Every woman in Gwen’s family has died before her 45th birthday. Determined to beat the curse, Gwen is hiding out in Dublin, Ireland...as far from Hoodoo, Texas as she can get. However, danger still manages to find her on the cusp of her birthday. Now she’s on the run, hoping to survive the next 24 hours. When Gwen is handed a lifeline, a beguiling man named Ash Modeus, she accepts his protection, not sure if she’s jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

An interesting and inventive story. Not a lot of world building, but there was enough dropped to keep me from feeling lost as I read. Gwen is a compelling character, tough as nails while still having a vulnerable side. I enjoyed her gumption and her sass.

Favorite lines:
♦ Hey, when you’re the shit, why be modest?
♦ “I’m from Ireland. Magic and whiskey run through my veins.”
♦ His family tree had some beautiful branches, and he’d hit each one on his way down.
♦ Demons should stay where they belonged—in hell and Washington, DC.
♦ Hallmark should make an I’ll avenge you card with varying levels of mayhem, retribution, and bloodshed.

Very good, and makes me want to read more. Four stars.

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Book 65, 2026

2026-08-06T03:10:14Z

Blood Money by Lisa Edmonds

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Completed an ebook last night--Blood Money by Lisa Edmonds. It was billed as the prequel to her “Alice Worth” series of urban fantasy, but it’s also labeled as “Book 1.75”. Bzuh? Main character (in this one at least) was vampire Charles Vaughn.

When newly-created rogue vampires terrorize the city, the Vampire Court is anxious to find out who is making rogues and unleashing them. Relations between humans and supernaturals is tenuous at best, and the vampires don’t need any bad publicity. After discovering runes on a captured rogue, Charles calls in a mage they’ve worked with before, and Dunlap brings along his assistant in training, Alice Worth. Charles has never met a woman like Alice. She’s beautiful, aloof, and frighteningly talented. Still, he knows she’s hiding things from her past, and he intends to uncover her secrets, if she survives long enough.

This was a compelling story, quite engrossing. I would have liked more world building (perhaps that was covered in the first book?), but characters were portrayed well, and the narrative moved at a quick pace. Battle scenes were tense and thrilling. I, too, would have liked to get a better handle on Alice. I guess that means I’ll need to read more in this series.

Favorite lines:
♦ “I will kill you slowly.” // “A few more bad-guy clichés like that and I’ll off myself for you.”
♦ “Normally I expect at least dinner and a few drinks before a lady tells me to strip.”

This deserves 4.5 stars, but since we can’t award halfsies, I’ll give it four.

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Book 64, 2026

2026-08-05T03:07:22Z

The Accidental Vampire by Lynsay Sands

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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I finished my current work book over my lunch hour today. It was The Accidental Vampire by Lynsay Sands. This is the 7th novel in her “Argeneau” series of paranormal vampire romance (which I’ve been reading wildly out of order!). The main characters are newbie immortal Elvi Black and ancient Vincent Argeneau.

As a new vamp, Elvi is still learning the ropes, but she has no one to teach her. Unbeknownst to her, the locals in her small community put an ad in the personals, hoping to attract a male vampire so that Elvi has some immortal companionship. Vincent, an enforcer for all immortals, travels to Port Henry to see what justice needs to be meted out. Immortals like him need to keep a low profile, not advertise their presence to all and sundry. When he meets Elvi, however, and realizes he can’t read her, he knows he’s found his lifemate. Now he’ll need to teach her how to comport herself, all while hoping the laws she’s already broken won’t get her executed by the council. That is, if Elvi lives that long. It seems someone in town wants her dead, and it’s up to Victor to protect her.

Fun story. I loved how Elvi gleaned information from books and movies and thought she needed to sleep in a coffin and couldn’t eat. When she first learned she could still ingest food, she nearly broke a land speed record getting to the nearest grocery store! Characters were well-developed, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out who was trying to kill Elvi. The plot moved at a good pace and unfolded in sensible fashion. There was a continuity error, in which Elvi met the eyes of another vampire in the rearview mirror of the car, long before she learned she could still see her reflection/use a mirror. Womp womp!

Favorite lines:
♦ A smart man wouldn’t stand between a woman and cheesecake.
♦ “This is another cheesecake emergency.”
♦ “That’s it? Don’t let fear stop me. We’re home now, get out. That’s your wisdom?”

One of my favorites in this series—four stars.

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Yum!

2026-08-04T03:23:10Z

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Book 63, 2026

2026-08-02T19:48:43Z

Chasing Shadows: My Life Tracking the Great White Shark by Gregory Skomal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Finally finished reading Chasing Shadows by Dr Greg Skomal, a marine biologist who specializes in studying great white sharks. I began reading it prior to Shark Week in hopes of finishing it during Shark Week, but...Shark Week happened and curtailed my reading. LOL!

The book delves into Skomal’s early years, including how seeing Jaws as a young boy influenced his educational and career track. The narrative follows the progress of his collegiate career, including his work as an intern with other noted shark biologists. Eventually, he accepted a job in Massachusetts, at Cape Cod. Serendipity placed Skomal there at the right time for white sharks to make a comeback off the Atlantic coast. From there, the book touched on the early days of tagging sharks, applying and vying for grants, and dealing with the media any time there was a white shark encounter with a human. The resurgence of white sharks off the coast made it almost inevitable that there would be a human fatality, leaving Skomal to deal with the fallout, both in the media and among the public.

The book was interesting and informative, but it wasn’t as entertaining as I’d hoped it would be. I enjoyed it, since I do love me some sharks, but overall it was rather a dry read, which is why it took me so long to finish reading it.

Favorite line: In reality, we are far more likely to be hurt by ourselves or something we created, like cars or pollution.

Good read overall, four stars.

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August is here!

2026-08-02T02:44:40Z

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Yummies and Doggies

2026-08-01T03:43:22Z

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Celebrate!

2026-07-29T02:18:58Z

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Oh nom nom nom!

2026-07-27T00:17:41Z

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